[DARTMOUTH, NS] - The Canadian Association of Family Enterprise (CAFE) will be celebrating the accomplishments of three successful family businesses at its Awards Gala Luncheon to be held on March 5 at Brightwood Golf and Country Club in Dartmouth.

The three nominees short listed for the esteemed provincial title are: Northeastern Protection Service Inc. & Northeastern Investigations Inc., Rideout Tools Inc. and Sportwheels Sports Experts.

All the companies have successfully transitioned to at least the 2nd generation — not an easy feat when the odds of this happening are stacked against family businesses.

"Family business by its very nature presents different and unique challenges that non-family businesses don’t necessarily face," says Rick Thomson, vice president and market leader of the Atlantic Provinces for BMO Harris Private Banking – Platinum Sponsor for CAFE. "Growing the business while maintaining family harmony, managing family communications, rivalry and conflict, and successfully bringing family members into the business are some of the key challenges and barriers to succession."